Top 10 Shortcuts for Windows Server 2016

Some of the shortcuts works for Windows Server 2012 and probably 2008 as well (*.msc was around since 2003?), but as we’re heading towards the release of Windows Server 2016 I’m trying to kind of be ahead of time.The shortcuts listed below are no mean to be “exhaustive” as there are tons of those shortcuts to list them all. I picked up 10 the perhaps most used, or more useful. Top 10 Shortcuts for Windows Server 2016 is the subject of today’s post. Hate or love Windows Servers, they’re here and if you’re admin, you (sometimes) have to manage them.


Winkey+X is your friend (is not the same as right click on the start menu!). When you bring up this window and you look closely, then you’ll see many of those shortcuts yourself as they have a underlined letter… So you for example hit Winkey+X, f then you bring up a Programs and Features window.

Many of those shortcuts are basically the same as in previous versions of Windows servers. If you’re new to Windows system administration then you might find it useful. If you already know all those shortcuts then you might want to skip this post at all.

Top 10 Shortcuts for Windows Server 2016 – Let’s get started

1. Lock console (when you’re done with administration)

It’s useful to know that.

From an RDP session: Ctl+Alt+End, Enter
If you’re at the physical console: Ctl+Alt+Del, Enter (same as on previous versions)
Winkey > click on account name, upper right corner >  Lock

2.Shut down/restart

When you’re at the remote session, focusing on desktop (all apps minimized).

Alt+F4 with focus on the desktop, select action
Ctl+Alt+Del, then select Power button in the lower right corner

3. Device manager

Type this:

Winkey+X, m (Device Manager) or this one…
Winkey, devmgmt.msc

4. Windows Firewall

To open directly Firewall (not the advanced security)

Winkey, firewall.cpl (Note that it’s necessary to type the extension “.cpl”; if not the advanced security opens.)

If you need advanced security console, then type:

Winkey, firewall

5. Windows Powershell ISE

Winkey, powershell_ise

6. Resource monitor

Winkey, resmon

7. Programs and Features (Windows features as well)

Winkey+X, f (Programs and Features. – also you can click View installed updates)
Winkey, appwiz.cpl

8. System – Here you can do a domain join, change the computer name, description, RDP, config, activation … the traditional “System” window….

Winkey+X, y (System)

9. Disk Management

Winkey+X, k (Disk Management)
Winkey, diskmgmt.msc

10. Administrative Tools – (needs to be installed first, If role or feature isn’t installed, then the console is just unavailable. Same as in 2012 or 2008).

Winkey, command prompt (with admin privileges)

• Group Policy Management: gpmc.msc
• Server Manager: servermanager
• Services: services.msc
• Windows Firewall with Advanced Security: wf
• Active Directory Users & Computers: dsa.msc
• Active Directory Administrative Center: dsac.exe
• Active Directory Domains and Trusts: domain.msc
• Active Directory Sites and Services: dssite.msc
• Certificate Authority: certsrv.msc
• DNS Management: dnsmgmt.msc
• DHCP Management: dhcpmgmt.msc
• Windows Server Backup: wbadmin

NetProtocol Xpert